SR-701-002 (3)
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AUG 9 1988
California
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PD:JFK:SH:cl
Council Meeting: 8/9/88
Santa Monica,
TO:
Mayor and city Council
FROM:
City staff
SUBJECT:
Feasibility Study on Implementing Spay/Neuter Clinic
in City's Animal Shelter
INTRODUCTION
On June 18, 1987, the city council directed city staff to develop
a performance objective for the FY 1987-88 budget exploring the
feasibility of implementing a spay and neuter clinic in the
city's Animal Shelter.
The follovling outlines the feasibility
study undertaken, examines the alternatives to implementing a
spay/neuter clinic and makes a recommendation regarding specific
program implementation.
BACKGROUND
The advice of all five City veterinarians was sought concerning
the implementation of a spay/neuter clinic. The two issues which
emerged as paramount in an evaluation of the clinic's feasibility
were the type of facility required and the ability to obtain
medical staff.
According to the veterinarians' statements, the existing Animal
Shelter facility will not accommodate the stringent sterility
demands required in a surgical arena. Only a new facility would
meet their recommended requirements. The building costs for a
new facility were estimated at $50,000 with additional surgical
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equipment costs between $13,000 and $15,000, bringing total
start-up costs to approximately $65,000.
obtaining medical personnel may prove to be a difficult and
costly issue. Local veterinarians are unwilling to donate time
or offer regular services because of the detttands of their own
practices although they may consider providing relief services at
a cost of $250 per day. In addition, two veterinary assistants
at a total cost of $160 are needed when surgery is performed,
bringing operating costs to $410 per day when personnel are
available.
Because of the results of the study, staff decided to explore
possible alternative programs to address pet population control.
Several organizations and cities were contacted to find
appropriate alternatives for Santa Monica.
potential for addressing the issue.
Two options have
The City of Bellflower offers a rebate program to residents
who wish to have their pets spayed or neutered. The
Bellflo\"er Animal Control mails information concerning the
program to all pet owners with 1 icense renewal notices.
Included in the package are rebate coupons and free pet 1.0.
tags.
The coupons may be sumitted for reimbursement with
proof of alteration within the past year. Bellflower Animal
Control staff state that the program has helped reduce the
number of impounds and increased the number of adoptions and
redemptions.
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In conj unction with the rebate program, Bellflower, as all
other Los Angeles County cities, belongs to the Coalition for
Pet Population Control (CPPC) which promotes, refers and
advises on spay and neuter programs for pets.
CPPC also
operates a 24-hour per day information hotline in English and
spanish.
The "Have a Heart Foundation" is a non-profit organization
which operates a low or no cost spay-neuter program to pet
owners,
depending on owner income.
The organization,
originally funded by Los Angeles Animal Regulations, is
currently financed by private donations and funds from
agencies
with whom the
organization
contracts.
The
Foundation assumes total administrative and financial control
of a contracted city's program.
There are two distinct disadvantages to the "Have a Heart
Founda tion" program.
First, the city must relinquish all
control of its accumulated funds.
Secondly, "Have a Heart
Foundation"
representatives
are
unable
to
provide
a
verification process assuring City funds are used solely to
benefit Santa Monica residents.
It is estimated our entire
fund would be depleted within the first year.
FISCAL IMPACT
If the City implements a spay/neuter clinic, it would be
necessary, according to local veterinarians, to build a new
facility at a minimum start-up cost of $65,000. Annual operating
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expenses would cost the City $83 J 960 if surgery was performed
three days per week.
The Animal Shelter does have an account whose monies can only
legally be used to further the issue of pet population control.
Since its inception less than 30 months ago, $22,579 had
accumulated in the account (80-975-140-000).
These monies are
comprised of uncollected deposits from unaltered animals sold by
the Shelter. The account could be used to fund pet population
control programs such as a rebate program or Have a Heart
Foundation as well as membership in the Coalition for Pet
Population Control (CPPC).
If the city contracts with Have a Heart Foundation, it is
estimated that a minimum of $10,00 and up to $20,000 of the
account's funds would be depleted within a year.
If the City offers a rebate program similar to that of the City
of Bellflot"er, it is estimated annual costs would be $9,500.
This would make the
fund self-sustaining
since average
collections average over $9,000 annually.
The $15 rebates for
cat spay/neutering would help offset the veterinarians' fees of
$19 to $69 and the $20 rebates for dog spay/neutering would help
offset the $70 to $170 veterinarians' fee. CPPC also contracts
with veterinarians to discount their spay/neutering fees which
would further benefit Santa Monica residents.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the city set up a rebate program which
offers a rebate of $15 for cats and $20 for dogs to any Santa
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Monica resident who has his or her pet spayed or neutered. It is
further recommended that as an adjunct to the program, the city
become a member of the Coalition for Pet Population Control
(CPPC) whose organization will promote the rebate program. The
total program will be funded from the Animal Shelter's
80-975-140-000 account.
Prepared by: Stan Hernacki, Animal Control Officer
John Sanchez, Animal Control Supervisor
Helen Benjamin, senior Administrative Analyst
(neutspay)
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